Death of a gun nut

[Tylden]

I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with a dear old friend of mine from high school after our 25th reunion. He loves his guns and freedom like the rest of us, and recently left his real estate career (or should I say it left him) and went to work for an undertaker. That being said, before the weekend was over we got into the subject of estate planning and funeral arrangements being done in advance. To make a long story short, this is what I'm doing to prepare. By the way, I plan on hanging around for many more years, so this isn't an immediate need....in other words, I'm not dying lol.

It saddens me to hear the stories of personal gun collections that are either destroyed or sold off for a song by relatives that either don't like guns or know nothing about them. So, I'm rewriting my will to pre-determine the fate of my collection. In addition, I've created a file for each gun including a bill of sale when I bought it, receipts and notes for any modifications/ gunsmith work I've had done, owners manuals, an illustrated takedown guide when available (both paperback and dvd if possible), and a data sheet for each gun detailing what ammo it likes, how it's zeroed in, and why it is set up the way it is, collectability, and any other info worthy of passing along. I've also made a similar sheet in my ammo locker to pass along any info as well (if you use this ammo in this gun, this is where you'll want to reset the sights at a given distance, etc).

As for my remains, I chose to be cremated instead of spending mega cash on plots, vaults, caskets, etc. My friend pointed out the importance of having some sort of physical memorial for loved ones to remember me by....one of those things that is more for the living than me. So, instead of just being put in an earn or scattered out somewhere I have another idea. This is where some people think I've lost my mind lol...but I think it fits me rather well. I want to have some of my spent shell casings engraved and use my ashes to reload dummy cartriges to pass out to my family and friends etc. Everyone will have their own personal cartridge and my kids each have a full box to keep. Now the hard part...picking a caliper lol. I'm thinking maybe .38 special since this is what I carry most of the time. But then again, my 1911 in .45acp is my favorite to shoot.....or perhaps a rifle round would be easier to engrave ? Details, details.....it's always the details.

So, am I nuts or does this sound like a great idea ?

 

[Mr White]

I vote for nuts. The dummy rounds filled with your ashes pretty much sealed it for me. That's just too far out there.

 

[NG VI]

interesting... why not a couple calibers?

I also, whenever I make a will, will have some clauses in there for my beloved firearms. I don't want to be tumbling around in my grave (or fluttering in my vase) because some dimbulb family member sells my CZ for 200 bucks at a pawn shop, or almost worse brings my AR-15 and S&W Model 28 to a police station to "turn them in".

 

[Bones11b]

To each his own, I say. I did know a guy in the Army who was proud of telling me that his fathers remains were placed in a mortar shell as opposed to an urn as per his last will and testament. His father had served proudly in some past conflicts and his funeral was more of a military reunion than a sad event. There was barbecue and story telling by his friends and then the mortar shell was passed around for all to say some last words. The gentleman who's father it was seemed pretty proud of the event and mentioned that he'd like his funeral to be in the same fashion. When my mother passed her remains were divided into three urns fo my two brothers and I. Mine when to my grandmother until she passes. I can tell you in all honesty I'm not lookig forward to getting that urn back. I'd just as soon keep the pictures and memories I have.

 

[Werewolf]

I want to have some of my spent shell casings engraved and use my ashes to reload dummy cartriges to pass out to my family and friends etc. Everyone will have their own personal cartridge and my kids each have a full box to keep. Now the hard part...picking a caliper lol. I'm thinking maybe .38 special since this is what I carry most of the time. But then again, my 1911 in .45acp is my favorite to shoot.....or perhaps a rifle round would be easier to engrave ? Details, details.....it's always the details.

That's a really creative idea. Those who truly loved you would understand and carrying around a dummy cartridge with them so a part of you would always be with them could easily be done. Hell, I carried a live .45 LC cartridge in my left front pants pocket for years (another story).

I am going to seriously consider this idea for myself.

 

[Ala Dan]

Well, I hope that I'm not leaving GOD's green earth anytime soon; but one
NEVER knows what lies ahead? But, when that time comes I have a things
in place, via a pre-planned will; that will transfer all of my firearms over to
my daughter, with my cremated remains scattered from an airplane over
the University Of Tennessee campus in Knoxville.

My daughter is firearms savy, and knows the value of firearms. She is not
known that would be easily bamboozeled by a scam artist; try'in to get
something for nut'in~!

 

[mrsig]

It is my desire to put in a cedar box on the bookshelf. This would be next to the dog who is also in a cedar box.

I would sugest 45-70 or 50 BMG if you want to be reloaded.

- Sig

 

[jpsimms]

I think that's a great idea, maybe a different caliber for each family member? or put them in a gun belt for your kids? I may be nuts too, but I think that's cool.

Health and long life to you

 

[yongxingfreesty]

nothing wrong with that idea. I like it!

 

[RLsnow]

"Whats that thing on your necklace?"
"Iz my dad"


hmmm....well see how it goes.

 

[Acheron]

I think that this idea is a little too far out for my tastes.


But then again, it's your funeral (literally!).







Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[revjen45]

My son gets my guns, a couple of which also belonged to my Dad. He can think of me every time he starts up his Stroker Ironhead that passed to him upon my checking out or becoming too enfeebled to ride it.

 

[ravencon]

So, am I nuts or does this sound like a great idea ?

The only opinion that matters is yours, your executor and your family.

If your executor doesn't make it happen it won't happen. So, you need to make sure that he/she is on board with your idea.

If your family finds this idea grotesque or offensive you will not be doing anyone much good. I'd solicit their thoughts and opinions about all this.

Since you did ask for opinions here's mine: I don't think it is a great idea, but I don't think you're nuts either.

 

[cracked butt]

Now the hard part...picking a caliper lol. I'm thinking maybe .38 special since this is what I carry most of the time. But then again, my 1911 in .45acp is my favorite to shoot

How about 9mm? 15rds of 9mm is better than 7 rounds of .45


*ducks behind concrete bunker*

 

[Horsesense]

How about having some of the powder (you) loaded in live shotgun shells and everybody shoot some Skeet?

 

[230RN]

I keep thinking of writer Hunter S. Thompson's Funeral.

Cannon-related.

Quote from Wikipedia:

Funeral
On 20 August 2005, in a private ceremony, Thompson's ashes were fired from a cannon atop a 153-foot tower of his own design ...SNIP...to the tune of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man", known to be the song most respected by the late writer. Red, white, blue, and green fireworks were launched along with his ashes. As the city of Aspen would not allow the cannon to remain for more than a month, the cannon has been dismantled and put into storage until a suitable permanent location can be found. According to widow Anita Thompson, the actor Johnny Depp, a close friend of Thompson, financed the funeral. Depp told the Associated Press, "All I'm doing is trying to make sure his last wish comes true. I just want to send my pal out the way he wants to go out."

 

[blackcash88]

I think the ash cartridges is a pretty cool idea. I wonder if it would be hard (if you don't already know another reloader) it would be to get someone to do that. The whole "creepiness" factor and all...

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'm taking everything with me. My casket will have travelers' checks stuffed in the lining.

 

[musher]

I think the idea is fine, but it'll be tragic when TSA confiscates you when your children travel home after the funeral.

 

[RyanM]

I think there was an avid shotgunner who did something like that awhile back. He had his ashes loaded into live shotshells in place of shot, and his buddies touch one off every time they go shooting.

 

[bogie]

Speaking from experience, there is a LOT of ashes. I'd go with a .50 BMG since it'd give you more engraving room, and the brass will shine up nicely compared to a lot of 20/30mm shells.

 

[inherentical]

I think the idea is fine, but it'll be tragic when TSA confiscates you when your children travel home after the funeral.

They can't even buy him back off of eBay, either.

 

[Walkalong]

So, I'm rewriting my will to pre-determine the fate of my collection.

Done deal. Most will go to a certain nephew.

 

[Cave Dweller]

A few loaded into your favorite caliber and made into pendants for your loved ones. Make sure it's engraved in some way (light etching with black nickel fill) Then have the rest loaded into shotgun shells, You can replace the shot and wading... Your friends and family can hold a BBQ and services at your favorite outdoor shooting range, and take turns giving you an appropriate send off. A REAL 21 gun salute.

Oh yeh, it IS a nuts idea too

 

[armoredman]

Cremate me, and dump the ashes in a field somewhere, I won't be here, won't care. Guns go to wife and son. Both like guns, no issues. If they're gone, then they go to my brother, who will immediately sell every one of them to fund another broken down truck he can't repair.